Those of us raised on commercial radio are likely unfamiliar with the name Simaku. The Albanian music star arrived in the United States nearly 15 years agoshed been invited by New Yorks Albanian community to perform her music. Simaku learned English at an ESL school in Manhattan and later relocated to Los Angeles, where she lived for 7 years. She returned to New York nearly 4 years ago. Musically, Simakus sound is rooted in the culture and history of her native Iliria. Broadway, jazz, and the people of New York have all influenced Simakus work, but her sound remains faithful to her culture. She met her husband (and fellow musician) Robert while living in LA. The pair performs regularly in New York, with recent and upcoming shows including Bar on A (in the East Village) and the legendary CBGBs. Simakus latest album is entitled ECHOES FROM ILIRIA and is on the Muza/Reincarnate labels (distributed by Sony/BMG). Through her ownWeb site, and through MySpace (the mega-popular online network), Simaku continues to expand her already expansive listening audience. The following interview was conducted with Simaku between August 29 and 31, 2006.
Were you raised in Iliria? What was it like leaving your region to transition to the US? Why did you immigrate to the US?
Many of the songs I grew up with were passed down from the ages of Iliria. I was born and raised in a city by the Adriatic Sea, where still today in the middle of the city is the ancient road Via Ignatia in Kavaje, Albania. I left to further my art and to get the opportunity to sing my music in the stage of the world. Leaving Albania caused me to dive further into the folk music of my country. New York for me is like going over the rainbow.
You describe your sound as world music from Iliria. How much of your culture do you bring to your music? Are there instruments or sounds native to Iliria that you incorporate into your recordings?
My music is modern world music from Iliria. Robert and I set out to make music that is interpreted and produced in a very original and modern way, but is roots-based and those roots are planted firmly in my culture. Our sound draws on the sharkia (stringed), lodra (drum), pipza (flute), polifonia (polyphonic vocals), and ancient folk motifs; all of these are part of Albania folklore.
What types of themes do you write about? Do you consider yourself political?
I think art and politics don't mix. Music can be a reaction to politics, but when music promotes a certain politics then you start becoming a politician and less of an artist. My music represents the truth and that is the culture of my region, and that truth runs deeper than politics. The only motif in my songs is love.
You dedicated an album to your first teacher, your father. Do you come from a musical background? What did your father teach you and how did he inspire you as an artist?
My father grew up a shepherd (coban) like his father; we used to sing at home every Sunday. That's how I learned to sing first making iso, singing ancient songs with my father and grand father.
Did you have much exposure to Western music? What did you listen to growing up? What do you listen to now?
Growing up I listened only to Albanian music until one of my composers, Agim Krajka, introduced me to the music of Italian singer Mina and that was my first Western music. Her voice was free and it opened my heart. Nowadays I listen to folk music from around the worldblues, jazz, rock, and pop musicand I like them all. I find inspiration in Louis Armstrong, Motown, Fiona Apple, Train, and Christina Aguilera.
How do you approach songwriting? Do you typically write lyrics around music or vice-versa?
